In my quiet time this morning, I spent some time waiting on God – listening for His voice – and as I listened, I wrote down these words:

I am with you — by your side, keeping you company. I’m watching and waiting for you to rejoice with Me and Me alone for I am in all things, good and difficult. Rejoicing is the key because rejoicing releases trust and that is where your life in Me needs work – trusting in Me in all things. So, trust Me. Rejoice! Stop being afraid. Rejoice! I say again rejoice!

As I thought about His words to me, I considered Philippians 4:4 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!” (Amp)

Prayer Key to Trusting the Lord

Perhaps this verse it’s more than an invitation to praise God, it’s a command because it’s a gateway to going deeper in our ability to fully trust Him.

How convicted I was as I begin to recognize that I did have trust issues with God, starting with my prayer that my son, a new college graduate, would get that all important first job. What if instead of fretting prayers like “Lord, it’s been a couple of months since Jim’s graduation, when are you going to provide the job he’s seeking? Please let something break open soon.” I prayed rejoicing prayers of trust like, “Lord, I know you have the perfect job and perfect timing for my son’s start date. I’m rejoicing that you are giving him some space to enrich his life with patience during the waiting. Help him to grow in you in this time. I’m excited for what You are doing in his life. I know Jim’s new job is on the way. I am rejoicing in you! Thank you!”

This second prayer feels so much better, and as I pray it, it helps me to trust more deeply in God and to delight in Him. It keeps my mind on the goodness of God instead of the fears behind my worries.

I think C.S. Lewis understood this concept when he wrote, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” ~ C. S. Lewis

And so it is. Let’s rejoice in the Lord today.

UPDATE to article: Praising God that my son got his dream job! How wonderful it is to step away from fear and step toward God as we learn to trust him with all our heart.

Verse to contemplate: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (Amp)

How to Pray Safety Over Your Kids

Recently, I was asked if there was anything more we as parents could do to protect our kids from the kind of senseless tragedies like drive by shootings or the evil that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

In times like this it’s good to remember that we do have a powerful weapon; we can pray! In fact, I’d like to share a couple of ideas of how you can daily pray protection over your kids.

Bless them! – I never sent my then young son to school before putting my hand on his head and giving him a blessing. This blessing prayer became so important to Jim that If I forgot to pray it, he’d grab my hand and place it on his head and say, “I can’t go to school until you bless me Mom!”

But even with all the blessings I prayed for Jim, his school life was not without challenges. However, not only did he get through each of these challenges, I found that the challenges made him stronger and helped him transform into the wonderful young man he is today. I thank God for getting him through and count my prayers as the guardrails he needed to help not only keep him safe, but help keep him on the right track.

Let me suggest you follow my example. So daily, before you send your child into the world, place your hand on his or her head and bless your child this with a prayer like the following:

Dear Lord,

I bless my child with your favor, love, and peace. I ask that you would shield and protect (name) from evil and danger. Let (name) know that your presence is with them and they are not alone.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen

2. Pray for them throughout the day – When your thoughts turn to your children during the course of your day, take that as a reminder to pray quick prayers like: ‘Dear Lord, be with little Annie. Give her courage on the playground today,’ ‘Help Jon with his spelling test,’ or ‘Be with Emily, right now, protect her and keep her safe.’

The good news is that sometimes, when God puts our children on our heart, it’s a call to pray for them. And, when God himself calls us to pray, you should know that he is already ready to answer our requests. However, if the call to pray for your child is heavy, do not hesitate to pray until you feel God’s peace.

The good news is that our God is bigger than evil, God is even bigger than a tragedy such as the death of a child. We know this because Jesus himself conquered both sin and death. Because of his victory, we know that the children who leave us too soon will always be safe in the eternal presence of God’s love and care.

But for now, we as parents are called to pray for our children as well as those left behind in the wake of the Sandy Hook and other senseless tragedies. It’s the one thing we can do that will truly make a difference.